Cost Analysis of Disease Surveillance in Africa
Author Information
Author(s): Somda Zana C, Meltzer Martin I, Perry Helen N, Messonnier Nancy E, Abdulmumini Usman, Mebrahtu Goitom, Sacko Massambou, Touré Kandioura, Ki Salimata Ouédraogo, Okorosobo Tuoyo, Alemu Wondimagegnehu, Sow Idrissa
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Hypothesis
What are the incremental costs of establishing and operating an integrated disease surveillance and response system in Burkina Faso, Eritrea, and Mali?
Conclusion
The IDSR strategy can be considered a low-cost public health system, although the benefits have yet to be quantified.
Supporting Evidence
- The average cost to implement the IDSR program was $0.16 per capita in Eritrea, $0.04 in Burkina Faso, and $0.02 in Mali.
- Costs varied significantly by health structure level, with regional costs being higher than district and primary health care center costs.
- The study highlights the importance of integrating resources for disease surveillance to improve efficiency.
Takeaway
This study looked at how much it costs to set up a system to track and respond to diseases in three African countries, showing it's not too expensive.
Methodology
Cost data were collected from health structures in Burkina Faso, Eritrea, and Mali, focusing on personnel, transportation, and supplies related to IDSR activities.
Potential Biases
Data collection may have missed some surveillance-related expenditures due to parallel donor-funded projects.
Limitations
Potential inaccuracies in cost allocation due to lack of detailed records and reliance on reported expenditures.
Participant Demographics
The study involved health structures in Burkina Faso, Eritrea, and Mali, focusing on their disease surveillance systems.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website